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OverDrive or Libby? Pros and Cons?

OverDrive or Libby? Pros and Cons?

Kim #review

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53 Answers

Cheri

Aren’t they the same but different format? I thought both were rentals from the library. I could be wrong.

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Emily

My library has libby. I have yet to try it.

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Mary

I use Libby. Very user friendly.

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Rebecca

They’re pretty much the same, but I like libby better…the format on my phone is better

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Cheryl

They are the same, just different user formats. I have used both, but Libby seems a bit easier to navigate.

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Nancy

Libby is the newer version of Overdrive.

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Emily

I have only used the web version. Does the app cooperate well with Kindle?

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Kathleen

Because it’s Libby, Libby, Libby on the label, label, label! Libby is easy.

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Chelsy

?LIBBY?

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Leah

Libby is owned by OverDrive. Same thing for the most part, with just an easier to use interface. Many libraries and such will slowly be transitioning to Libby and getting rid of Overdrive.

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Ginny

I have Libby powered by overdrive… sooo both?

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Ang

Overdrive. Didn’t like Libby’s set up.

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Jenna

Libby is very intuitive and user-friendly. I love it!

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Sherry

Agree I still have both but only use Libby

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Sandy

I use both but Libby is better

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Kaye

My understanding is Libby is just the newer version of Overdrive. My older phone supports Overdrive but doesn’t support Libby. I’m unable to download the Libby app without buying a new phone.

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Ginny

That’s what I thought because mine says Libby powered by overdrive

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Judy

I was able to get Libby on my old phone but it didn’t work well. It does on my new phone, and I like it best now.

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Nicole

Love Overdrive

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Sandy

My overdrive is slow! Libby is fast

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Wendy

Libby

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Cindy

Following

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Albena

It may make a difference for audiobooks. I’ve encountered situations when the audio files wouldn’t play on Overdrive, but would play on Libby.

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KimQuestion author

@Albena is it livestream like on Hoopla? or downloaded like OD?

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Albena

My experience was with downloadable files.

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Joanna

Libby?

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Kristen

I prefer Overdrive to Libby.

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Melanie

I think Libby is to be an easier OverDrive. I like OverDrive just fine.

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KimQuestion author

I see on Libby that we can tag shelves. If we get Libby, our wish lists don’t carry over. And I think, we can download from other libraries?

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Pb

Overdrive

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Katherine

Both

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Sarah

Libby

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Lena

Overdrive. I’ve tried Libby and one thing it’s missing is showing books that the library doesn’t own but you can recommend.

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Marie

I use both. I like Libby for managing my holds. Libby does not have a wish list, I like that feature in Overdrive. I also like the recommend books for the library to purchase which Overdrive has but is missing in Libby b

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Laura

I have both

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Cáitín

I use both

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Janice

Use both. They have different books.

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Sydney

Libby

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Terri

I find I need both. For the reading experience, I prefer Libby. Libby syncs across my devices. OverDrive doesn’t. Libby says it’s returned my books early. The library disagrees. I have to use OverDrive for that.

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Jacquelyn

I didn’t know that libby would sync across devices. I’ve been holding out using it (except to get an estimated time frame when a hold would be ready). I might have to start using it now.

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Caron

Both

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Shan

I prefer overdrive

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Morgan

Libby is owned by Overdrive and they are slowly transferring all the Overdrive titles to Libby, if you are going to start using one I would suggest Libby. That way you don’t have to get used to a second app after Overdrive gets shut down. I work for a library and this is what they told us to tell all the patrons that use it.

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Marie

@Morgan good advice. Those of us using both may want to use Libby more and more. Did they say if they plan to update Libby to add the missing features?

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Morgan

Right now Libby is still in the beta phase and the two programs will remain separate. There are features unique to each. Overdrive supports more of the graphic novel and manga formats while Libby is better at syncing with devices and is more intuitive.

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Ginny

Good to know! Thank you!

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Heather

Our library only has Overdrive. Libby isn’t available. Many libraries have one not both.

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Judy

I use Libby, am listening to Fall of Giants by Ken Follett, right now.

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Kay

I just downloaded Libby to use for audiobooks, love it so far

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Heather

Kindle app store doesn’t have Libby either.

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Carin

I use Cloud library. You input your library info & library card #

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Nicolas

Overdrive only because that’s what I started with and I am stubborn. Plus my wish list would not transfer over.

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Jaimie

I love Libby ?

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